NPR News: 02-15-2025 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: February 15, 2025

Host: NPR
Release Date: February 15, 2025
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes

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1. Resignations of Federal Prosecutors

Reporter: Dale Willman

In a significant development, at least seven federal prosecutors have resigned from their positions in Washington, D.C., and New York City. Among the latest to step down is Prosecutor Scotten Hagan, whose resignation letter has garnered attention for its forthrightness.

Quote:

“He does not have negative views about the Trump administration. But he wrote that any prosecutor knows that laws and traditions say you cannot use your enormous power to lean on elected officials. We'll eventually find someone who's enough of a fool or a coward to file your motion, Hagan’s got wrote. But it was never going to be me.”
— Scotten Hagan [00:32]

Hagan, a decorated military veteran with two Bronze Stars and a clerkship under Chief Justice John Roberts, emphasized his commitment to upholding legal ethics and resisting political pressure. His departure underscores growing tensions within federal prosecutorial offices.

2. Major Layoffs at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Reporter: Jennifer Ludden

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is bracing for substantial layoffs, with the Trump administration proposing to reduce the agency's staff by half. This move could lead to job cuts in key areas, potentially up to 75% in certain departments.

Quote:

“One employee who learned of the plan in a meeting said colleagues were visibly upset.”
— Jennifer Ludden [01:15]

HUD's union president confirmed the 50% target, expressing concerns about the economic impact on both employees and the communities they serve. In response to the proposed cuts, Housing Secretary Scott Turner has initiated a task force aimed at reviewing expenditures to eliminate waste and fraud.

In an unexpected twist, Elon Musk announced on platform X that his Doge team had recovered nearly $2 billion of HUD funds that were allegedly misplaced, adding complexity to the agency's financial challenges.

3. Mexico's Response to Potential Terrorist Designation of Drug Cartels

Reporter: Nina Krasvinski

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a stern warning to the United States regarding the designation of Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Such a designation would align cartels with entities like Al Qaeda and Boko Haram, significantly impacting U.S.-Mexico relations.

Quote:

“If the US goes through with that designation, she plans to expand an existing lawsuit in U.S. courts against gun manufacturers. Sheinbaum says more than 70% of the guns used by cartels come from the U.S.”
— Nina Krasvinski [02:17]

President Trump had directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to initiate this designation shortly after his inauguration. In response, Sheinbaum has vowed to intensify legal actions against U.S. gun manufacturers, pointing to the high percentage of firearms used by cartels that originate from the United States. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments soon regarding the validity and implications of these lawsuits.

4. Abortion Rights Restoration in Missouri

Reporter: Dale Willman

Missouri is set to resume abortion services following a judicial decision that blocks newly imposed regulations intended to restrict providers. Last fall, voters in Missouri had successfully enshrined abortion rights into the state constitution, but legislative efforts had sought to curtail these rights through additional regulations.

A judge’s ruling on Friday has halted the implementation of these restrictive measures, ensuring that abortion services can continue as affirmed by the electorate.

5. Federal Support for Gender-Affirming Care Paused

A federal judge in Seattle has paused President Trump's executive order that aimed to halt federal support for gender-affirming care for transgender youth under 19 years old. This decision follows a similar ruling by a judge in Baltimore, indicating judicial resistance to the administration's policies targeting transgender healthcare.

Quote:

“Democratic attorneys general from several states have argued that the order discriminates against transgender people.”
— Narrative at [02:56]

The rulings reflect ongoing legal battles over transgender rights and access to healthcare, highlighting the polarized nature of this policy issue.

6. Kansas City Shooting Case: Andrew Lester Pleads Guilty

Reporter: Peggy Lowe

In a notable legal development, an 86-year-old white man from Kansas City, Andrew Lester, has pleaded guilty to second-degree assault for shooting a black teenager, Ralph Yarl, who had mistakenly rung his doorbell. The plea agreement allows Lester to avoid a trial.

Quote:

“This outcome ensures accountability for the defendant, provides closure to Mr. Yarl and satisfies the need to achieve a just result.”
— District Attorney Zach Thompson [04:07]

Lester appeared in Clay County Court in a wheelchair, while Yarl was present with his family during the hearing. The plea bargain sets the stage for Lester's sentencing next month, during which he faces a potential prison term of one to seven years. Yarl's mother, Cleo Nagby, expressed hope that the sentencing will reflect the gravity of the incident rather than being a mere formality.

7. Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl Victory Parade

Reporter: Dale Willman

Philadelphia celebrated the New England Patriots' Super Bowl victory with a vibrant homecoming parade through the City of Brotherly Love. Enthusiastic fans camped along the parade route to secure prime viewing spots, creating a festive atmosphere.

Star player Saquon Barkley, along with several teammates, disembarked from the team bus at various points to interact with fans, offering high fives and celebrating the team's success firsthand.

Quote:

“Some fans camped along the parade route to be sure of a good viewing spot. Saquon Barkley and several other players hopped off the team bus at one point and passed through the crowd giving high fives to fans.”
— Dale Willman [04:31]

The parade not only celebrated the team's triumph but also reinforced the strong bond between the Eagles and their dedicated fanbase.

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Notable Advertisements (Skipped in Summary)

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This summary encapsulates the key news stories covered in the NPR News Now episode aired on February 15, 2025, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day's significant events and developments.

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor]

This message comes from Pemco Mutual Insurance Company. Their mission is to help customers worry less and live more. So they're sharing prevention tips that empower you to prevent some of life's pitfalls before they happen. Visit pemco.com prevention live from NPR News.

[Dale Willman]

In New York City, I'm Dale willman. At least seven federal prosecutors have now resigned in Washington, D.C. and New York City. One of the latest resignations took place on Friday and included a scathing resignation letter. As NPR's Carrie Johnson explains, Prosecutor Hagan.

[Carrie Johnson]

Scotten, who earned two Bronze Stars for his military service and who clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts. He's not a liberal, he wrote. He does not have negative views about the Trump administration. But he wrote that any prosecutor knows that laws and traditions say you cannot use your enormous power to lean on elected officials. We'll eventually find someone who's enough of a fool or a coward to file your motion, hagens gotten wrote. But it was never going to be me.

[Dale Willman]

NPR's Kerry Johnson, the acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, resigned on Thursday. Employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development are bracing for what could be major layoffs. As NPR's Jennifer Ludden reports, the Trump administration wants to cut the agency's staff in half.

[Jennifer Ludden]

HUD's union president said three officials confirmed the overall target for layoffs was 50% and some areas could lose up to 75% of staff. One employee who learned of the plan in a meeting said colleagues were visibly upset. The union leader said he worries about the economic both on those who may be let go and the people they serve. Hud declined comment, but Housing Secretary Scott Turner has announced his own task force to review spending and target waste and fraud. On Friday, Elon Musk said on X that his Doge team had recovered nearly $2 billion of HUD money he said had been misplaced. Jennifer Lutton, NPR News, Washington.

[Dale Willman]

Mexico's president says if the US Designates Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, her country will expand legal action against US Gunmakers. A foreign terrorist designation would put the cartels in the same category as armed foreign groups like Al Qaeda and Boko Haram. Nina Krasvinski at member station KGZZ has more.

[Nina Krasvinski]

President Trump directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to designate the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations in an executive order shortly after taking office, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in her regular morning press conference that if the US Goes through with that designation, she plans to expand an existing lawsuit in U.S. courts against gun manufacturers. Shanebaum says more than 70% of the guns used by cartels come from the U.S. the U.S. supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments about whether the lawsuit against gun makers should go forward early next month. For NPR News, I'm Nina Kruvinsky in Hermosillo, Mexico.

[Dale Willman]

Abortions are set to resume soon. In Missouri, voters had voted enshrining abortion rights into the state constitution last fall, but state lawmakers offered regulations that had restricted providers. A judge on Friday blocked those regulations from taking effect. You're listening to NPR News. A second federal judge has paused President Trump's executive order halting federal support for gender affirming care for transgender youth under 19 years old. That ruling from a federal judge in Seattle, came one day after a similar order by a judge in Baltimore. Democratic attorneys general from several states have argued that the order discriminates against transgender people. An 86 year old white man from Kansas City charged with shooting a black teenager who mistakenly rang his doorbell pleaded guilty Friday to second degree assault. As Peggy Lowe of member station KCUI reports, the plea bargain means Andrew Lester will avoid a trial.

[Peggy Lowe]

Lester appeared in Clay County Court in a wheelchair. The teen he shot, Ralph Yarl, was in the front row surrounded by family. When sentenced next month, Lester could get between one and seven years in prison. District Attorney Zach Thompson said he will ask for five years.

[Zach Thompson]

This outcome ensures accountability for the defendant, provides closure to Mr. Yarrow and satisfies the need to achieve a just result.

[Peggy Lowe]

Yarl's mother, Cleo Nagby, issued a statement saying the family hopes that Lester's sentencing will uphold the seriousness of the crime and not merely be a slap on the wrist. For NPR News, I'm Peggy Lowe in Kansas City.

[Dale Willman]

Philadelphia celebrated their super bowl champion Eagles on Friday with a homecoming parade through the City of Brotherly Love. Some fans camped along the parade route to be sure of a good viewing spot. Saquon Barkley and several other players hopped off the team bus at one point and and pass through the crowd giving high fives to fans. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News, in New York City.

[NPR Sponsor]

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